Zoomlion takes waste disposal campaign to SHSs
Zoomlion has taken its effort to address improper waste disposal to students in senior high schools (SHSs) by organising its maiden Zoom Ambassadors Conference on waste recycling.
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The conference, which is the brainchild of Zoomlion Foundation, also provided the platform for students to debate on the topic “Waste is a resource. Do you agree?”
Held at the Tema SHS, the conference brought together students from seven schools: Accra Academy, West Africa SHS, Nungua SHS, Odorgonno SHS, Ghanata SHS, Frafraha SHS and Tema Secondary School.
After the debate, Accra Academy was adjudged the winner, followed by Ghanata, Odorgonno, Tema Secondary, West Africa SHS, Nungua and Frafraha in that order.
Prizes were offered to the participating schools, with each of the contestants taking an undisclosed package.
Zoom Ambassadors role
In a speech read on her behalf, the Managing Director (MD) of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mrs Florence Larbi, said the conference was instituted to educate students on the need to change their attitude towards waste.
“It has been established that the general populace has a bad attitude towards waste disposal and it is becoming difficult to change the culture with adults. It is in this light that the Zoom Ambassadors Club was established,” she said.
Mrs Larbi stressed that it was more effective to encourage the young ones to champion attitudinal change and added that “it is in this vein that the Zoomkids Club for basic schools was established nine years ago.”
Even though Zoomlion is noted for its leadership in waste management, she said the company could not champion the cause of good sanitation alone without the support of key stakeholders, including school authorities, students and civil society organisations.
“I would, therefore, like to call on all students, club patrons, headmasters and headmistresses to join forces to address the poor sanitation challenges in our society,” she added.
True agent
The Headmaster of Tema SHS, Mrs Elizabeth Asamoah, stressed the need for the Zoom Ambassadors to be true agents of change in their respective schools and homes.
“It is my prayer that from today onwards, you will not relent in your advocacy efforts geared towards improving sanitation in your schools and communities and the entire nation,” she said.
Mrs Asamoah said her school was ready to partner the Zoomlion Foundation to come up with more educative programmes on waste management and added that “it is when we begin at this level that our children will grow with the idea of turning waste into resources.”
